Ford is among the most recognizable manufacturers in America. So when a bunch of entrepreneurs in Florida determined to incorporate the title and brand of their restaurant, it was a giant threat. Fortunately, it labored out for them. And the restaurant now has a number of places throughout Florida and Michigan, with formally licensed Ford gear.
Learn extra in regards to the journey behind Ford’s Storage on this week’s Small Enterprise Highlight.
What the Enterprise Does
Runs burger and beer eating places across the nation.
President Steve Schlemon informed Small Enterprise Tendencies, “Burgers are the principle draw, black angus beef (and a vegetarian choice) coupled with all-natural aged cheeses, recent toppings, and sauces on artisan buns branded with the Ford’s Storage brand. The eating places additionally concentrate on well-liked American consolation meals choices like do-it-yourself meatloaf, hen wings and tenders, onion rings, and well-known macaroni and cheese. Lighter fare akin to recent salads, grilled hen, and numerous seafood choice are additionally obtainable.”
Enterprise Area of interest
Providing a classic type and iconic branding.
Schlemon says, “Ford’s Storage is a classic garage- and prohibition era-themed restaurant chain, and the primary and solely restaurant to be allowed rights to Ford’s iconic blue-oval brand, in addition to different of the automotive large’s model imagery.”
How The Enterprise Began
Impressed by the automaker.
Schlemon explains, “All of it started when 4 entrepreneurs got here collectively in 2012 to open the very first Ford’s Storage close to Henry Ford’s winter dwelling in Fort Myers, Florida with no affiliation to the automaker. When the idea caught the eye of the automobile maker in 2014, the restaurant group embraced the chance to construct the model collectively and signed a licensing settlement in 2016. Right now, Ford’s Storage is the primary and solely restaurant to be allowed rights to Ford’s iconic blue-oval brand, in addition to different of the automotive large’s model imagery, together with archived historic pictures, photos of automobiles and precise Mannequin Ts and Mannequin As.”
Greatest Win
Signing a licensing settlement with Ford.
Schlemon provides, “Thus turning into the primary and solely restaurant allowed to make use of the long-lasting blue-oval brand, in addition to different of the automotive large’s model imagery.”
Greatest Danger
Utilizing the Ford Motor Firm title with out asking.
Schlemon says, “When the automaker came upon, we ultimately entered right into a licensing settlement. However that might have was a really completely different story.”
Lesson Realized
Be open to new markets and alternatives.
Schlemon explains, “Ford’s Storage connects with such all kinds of individuals throughout geographic areas and ages. We’re seeing the chance to develop into new markets and solely want we had carried out so sooner.”
How They’d Spend an Further $100,000
Supporting the crew.
Schlemon provides, “Any additional funding would definitely be in these areas in order that we will proceed to ship the expertise that company know us for.”
Distinctive Decor
Tons of automobile memorabilia.
Schlemon says, “Every restaurant is sculpted to seem like a Nineteen Twenties gasoline station and is crammed to the brim with Ford memorabilia, together with classic automobiles, fixtures, and gasoline pumps, in addition to a mannequin automobile suspended above the middle bar.”
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Picture: Ford’s Storage
